The Charles and Jane Pak Center for Mineral Metabolism and Clinical Research contain four different research laboratories. They are represented by 1) Molecular Biology 2) Urine Chemistry, 3) RIA and 4) Bone Histology and Histomorphometry facility.

The molecular biology laboratory supports basic research exploring the molecular biology and genetic basis of urolithiasis and metabolic bone disease. It is a fully equipped facility containing four thermal cyclers and an automated DNA sequencer. In addition a stand-alone transformation laboratory is also present for immortalization of human blood cells.

The urine chemistry laboratory is a CLIA certified laboratory that performs analyses of various urinary analytes involved in kidney stone formation. Major equipment includes a Varian atomic absorption spectrophotometer, Dionex ion-chromatograph, and a Roche Cobas MIRA CC+ automated analyzer.

The RIA laboratory performs analysis of several analytes under radioimmunoassay or ELISA format. These include vitamin D, PTH, bone turnover markers, as well as peptides such as IGF-1 and insulin. 


The bone histology laboratory prepares both demineralized and non-decalcified bone specimens for histological examination. A variety of staining procedures is available. In addition, there is a fully equipped bone histomorphometry component for analyzing both static and dynamic parameters of bone remodeling in both human and animal bone specimens.